Madonna issued a blistering rebuke of Donald Trump after he moved to end the United States’ official acknowledgement of World AIDS Day, a global day of remembrance and awareness recognized every year since 1988.
On Monday, the singer and prominent LGBTQ+ ally, 67, took to Instagram with a solemn black-and-white video and a series of stark text slides, slamming Trump’s directive as ‘ridiculous,’ ‘absurd,’ and ‘unthinkable’ while urging her fans to continue honoring those affected by HIV/AIDS.
‘Today is World AIDS Day. For four decades, this day has been internationally recognized around the world by people from all walks of life, because millions of people’s lives have been touched by the HIV crisis,’ she wrote. ‘People have lost lovers and husbands and wives and girlfriends and boyfriends and mothers and daughters and children to this deadly disease, of which there is still no cure.’
The singer then turned her fury toward Trump after reports surfaced that the State Department instructed employees and grantees not to publicly commemorate the day, including on social media, speeches, or other public-facing messaging.Â
The internal memo, viewed by The New York Times, advised government staff to ‘refrain from messaging on any commemorative days, including World AIDS Day.
‘Donald Trump has announced that World AIDS Day should no longer be acknowledged,’ she wrote in a sharply worded post. ‘It’s one thing to order federal agents to refrain from commemorating this day, but to ask the general public to pretend it never happened is ridiculous, it’s absurd, it’s unthinkable.’
Madonna issued a blistering rebuke of Donald Trump after he moved to end the United States’ official acknowledgement of World AIDS Day
She added a deeply personal reflection, recalling the trauma of watching someone she loved succumb to the disease.
‘I bet he’s never watched his best friend die of AIDS, held their hand, and watched the blood drain from their face as they took their last breath at the age of 23,’ she wrote.
In another post, Madonna noted the staggering number of people she has lost to the epidemic.
‘The list of people that I have known and loved and lost to AIDS is pretty long. I’m sure many of you out there can relate,’ she wrote. ‘There still isn’t a cure for AIDS, and people still die from it. I refuse to acknowledge that these people have died in vain.’
The Queen of Pop vowed to continue honoring the day and urged her fans to join her:
‘I will continue to honor World AIDS Day, and I hope you will honor it with me.’
Trump’s directive marks the first time in 36 years that the U.S. government has pulled back from publicly recognizing World AIDS Day.Â
While federal employees may still attend related events and speak about ongoing health programs, the administration has barred them from outward participation or messaging tied to the Dec. 1 commemoration.
On Monday, the singer and prominent LGBTQ+ ally, 67, took to Instagram with a solemn black-and-white video and a series of stark text slides, slamming Trump’s directive as ‘ridiculous’
‘Today is World AIDS Day. For four decades, this day has been internationally recognized around the world by people from all walks of life, because millions of people’s lives have been touched by the HIV crisis,’ she wrote
Madonna, who rose to global superstardom during the height of the AIDS epidemic and has long been a vocal advocate for HIV/AIDS awareness, ended her post with a simple caption: ‘Happy International AIDS Day!’
Her stance quickly drew support from fans and activists, many of whom praised her for refusing to stay silent.Â
‘Thank you for your support and bringing awareness to the forefront,’ one commented.Â
Another wrote: ‘Madonna has fought AIDS since day one. DAY ONE. Never scared of aligning herself with gays or AIDS since the beginning of her career until now. Never forget that.’Â
The singer then turned her fury toward Trump after reports surfaced that the State Department instructed employees and grantees not to publicly commemorate the day
‘You changed AIDS history with your voice and that’s a fact,’ a third added.Â
A fourth praised: ‘Thank you for continuing to speak and and stand up today in a time where we have an administration and leader that wants to erase history.’
Others applaud the star for always using ‘her platform to speak up on world issues’ and sticking her ‘neck out almost 40 years ago when nobody dared.’Â
On World AIDS Day in 2023, Madonna got visibly choked up on stage as she told the crowd that she ‘personally lost so many friends’ and loved ones over the years to AIDS.
On World AIDS Day in 2023, Madonna got visibly choked up on stage as she told the crowd that she ‘personally lost so many friends’ and loved ones over the years to AIDSÂ
‘I would have cut off my arms if I could’ve found a cure for them to live,’ she said. ‘I watched so many people die, male and female, children, straight, gay, etc. In any case, it was a devastating time for me.’
The Vogue hitmaker described basically witnessing basically a ‘whole generation’ get ‘wiped out,’ including her ‘best friend Martin [Burgoyne].’
‘I was holding his hand. He was suffering so much he could barely breathe,’ she described. ‘I’m not saying this because I want you to feel sorry for me. I want you to recognize how lucky you are right now to be alive.’
Madonna has previously used her track, Live to Tell, an emotional ballad, to honor those who’ve lost their lives to AIDS.
In 2006, during her Confessions Tour, the singer displayed facts and statistics about AIDS next to a large crucifix.
